Personal injury cases can affect you financially, emotionally, and physically. Whether you slipped at work or were involved in a car crash, there’s nothing that prepares you for the losses you’ll incur. Although you can always receive compensation for damages or injuries, the process is usually complex and challenging. Your best bet is to consult with a qualified personal injury lawyer to get the legal representation you need.
So, what questions should you ask your personal injury lawyer?
1. What is your assessment of my case?
As a victim, it’s easy to assume your case is straightforward, and you’ll get substantial compensation. However, accidents vary, and laws may make your court case difficult. This is why you need an expert that is unbiased and objective to help you understand your case.
A reliable personal injury lawyer will tell you whether you should go forward with the case and how much it’s worth. They’ll also tell you what your chances are and give you several options to make the process as stress-free as possible.
2. What level of participation will I have?
Before committing, it’s vital to know what your lawyer expects of you. While some individuals prefer doing a huge chunk of the work, some don’t because of the added stress. Hence, ask your lawyer what they need from you, including how often you’ll have to meet them.
Additionally, your lawyer will need other relevant information to represent you well. This includes:
• Details of the incident
• Documents from your insurer and hospital
• Your medical history
3. How long will the resolution take?
Court cases can be unpredictable and, at times, may stretch over a long period, which can be frustrating for many people. Furthermore, many factors may influence how long your case takes to resolve.
Unfortunately, no attorney can give you a permanent, definite timeline of when your case can be resolved. Instead, an experienced lawyer will provide you with a general time frame as they know how the legal system works.
4. Have you tried any cases like mine before?
Anything legal requires experience and expertise for the best outcome. You wouldn’t hire a plumber to fix your electricity, so don’t hire a divorce attorney to handle your personal injury case. Your personal injury attorney needs to have years of experience in handling cases like yours.
This way, they can provide ready and effective solutions to problems during your case. This is also the time to ask for referrals if you need them. A good lawyer is always willing to refer you to previous clients to assess whether they’re the right fit for you.
5. Will my case go to trial?
Settling out of court can be a viable option for you when you don’t want your case to drag out. However, your attorney should prepare and expect all of their cases to go to trial. They should also have the skills to win your case when it goes to trial. Some of the questions you can ask about this include:
• How often do your cases go to trial?
• What is your trial success rate?
• How long will it take for my case to be tried in court?
Lastly, don’t hesitate to ask who will represent your case as some firms may have multiple people working on it, depending on its severity.
Need a personal injury lawyer?
Your personal injury attorney is someone you’ll work with very closely. Therefore, you should feel comfortable and confident with them, and asking these questions can help you achieve this.
At Guy Levy Law, we have experienced personal injury attorneys that can provide you with the legal representation you need. Contact us today to consult with us.
